Illumi’s description of the surgery as simple, with minimal trauma and quick recovery, was accurate, but the actual effects of the procedure wouldn't manifest until after the second month. Thus, it was a month later that Mols met with [Hisoka] again.
The month of waiting passed quickly, as Mols was engrossed in her work.
The month of waiting also passed slowly, as Mols eagerly anticipated their next meeting.
This was the first time Mols experienced such sweet anticipation in this world. Her elation was irrepressible. Each time she finished work and bathed, she couldn't help but try to move her vocal cords, humming tunes.
It felt like a return to her most carefree childhood in the "real world." Back then, she was still an elementary school student. She remembered falling all afternoon before finally learning to ride a bicycle, scraping her knees and hands. Yet, she didn't feel any pain. She excitedly rode her bicycle to find her mother, who was working, eager for praise.
Ah, praise. She had always strived to be a good child. In kindergarten, she received the most red stars.
She had no doubt she was the best-behaved child in the world.
Until junior high, when her exam scores gradually became unsatisfactory—even though she felt she had tried her best.
What was happening? What was happening? No one knew.
Only that one day, as her mother walked her home, she suddenly had an emotional breakdown, saying she wanted to kill her right there.
And so, she began hiding her test papers, starting to have secrets.
When her mother discovered this, she was both sad and furious.
...No.
She couldn't think about it anymore.
Mols touched her neck, feeling the vibration of her vocal cords. After constant private practice, she could now hum a song complete. She hummed songs she liked from the "real world."
If a melody is played on repeat, the time and emotions associated with it become infused into that melody, like a time capsule. When revisited years later, those times and emotions will instantly return, overwhelming Mols like a tidal wave of memories.
Fortunately, they were mostly warm memories. Mols deliberately skipped any melodies that were tainted by unpleasant experiences.
Yes, Mols certainly had many warm memories; otherwise, she would have fallen into complete despair long ago.
Every living creature possesses the instinct for survival.
However, the desire for death is also a human instinct.
The instinct for death is a tendency toward destruction and annihilation, which can be directed towards oneself or others. This is why people hurt each other.
...It doesn't matter anymore.
Today, the meeting place with [Hisoka] was on a airship.
The airship pierced through the clouds, ascending above them.
The clouds resembled thick cotton wadding, stretching across the sky to the horizon.
It truly felt wondrous that Mols, who had never flown in a plane in the "real world," could now treat an airship as a private car, traveling freely across the globe.
The reason for this earth-shattering change in circumstances was simple: she had reincarnated favorably.
Otherwise, with her original aptitude, she could never have imagined her current life.
....................
............
...
[Prenuptial Agreement (10/999)]
Mols shook the rabbit coin bank, her expression awkward.
In less than a month, she had used six wishes just to meet with [Hisoka].
This was terrible; she was becoming useless.
Mols crouched in a corner of the airship, cradling her head in her hands, messing up her hair.
It was all Illumi's fault!
That sly merchant!
Illumi knew she liked pretty boys. Not just him, but Kikyo and Zeno knew it too. Well, it didn't matter; that wasn't the point.
So, Illumi, catering to her preferences, had recommended a new product to her before her enthusiasm for [Hisoka] waned—[Hisoka] Youth Edition.
What did [Hisoka] Youth Edition mean?
Before Hisoka became excessively muscular like a "bodybuilder," he was also a pretty boy. By extension, he resembled a grown-up Killua.
This also benefited Illumi. Although he could use "Nen" to disguise himself, freely altering his appearance, height, build, and voice, the greater the disparity between the disguised form and his own, the greater the burden on him. He himself had a slender build, while Hisoka was stout. Frequently changing his body type placed a considerable burden on him.
Whatever, it didn't matter. Mols bit her thumb.
Aside from the hairstyle, the [Hisoka] Youth Edition was too much like the adult Killua by extension!
Killua was Mols's favorite character when she read the original manga.
The [Hisoka] Youth Edition offered by Illumi, one serving as a substitute for two characters, made Mols unable to walk away.
Mols was completely captivated and had no intention of working. She sensibly reduced her task schedule. Kikyo was rather pleased, saying she could relax appropriately and not put too much pressure on herself, as the family had plenty of people to work.
"It's okay, you still have 989 wishes," a voice by her ear said.
"It's okay, you still have 989 wishes," a voice in her heart also said.
No, no, no, no, no.
She couldn't just let herself go. Mols couldn't become useless; otherwise, she would have no reason to exist.
But then...
The [Hisoka] Youth Edition, with that face that was six parts Hisoka and four parts Killua, continued to sway her.
Damn it.
*Ding.*
A one-jewel coin was placed by the [Hisoka] Youth Edition into the rabbit coin bank Mols held.
[Prenuptial Agreement (11/999)]
Damn it.
Anyway, it was almost the end of the year. She'd just get through this year as it was.
*Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.*
[Prenuptial Agreement (53/999)]
Mols shook the rabbit coin bank, her expression blank.
"It's okay, you still have 946 wishes."
"..."
Get lost.
After the New Year, Mols transformed, becoming a "workaholic," completely ignoring Illumi.
Besides work, Mols found time to hire a vocal coach. The renowned vocal coach only accepted talented students and cultivated professionals. Teaching a student who was still "learning to speak" was a fantasy; he wouldn't do it even for more money—in fact, he considered it an insult.
Mols beat him up, subjected him to the baptism of Hatsu, and threatened to kill his entire family. Only then did he change his principles and accept the insult.
Singing was the art of turning vocal cords into instruments. By scientifically controlling one's voice and breath, one could make their voice more pleasing.
Whether she could achieve a heavenly voice was unimportant. At least, this professional training experience could boost Mols's confidence in her own voice.
When alone, Mols would try speaking to New Orleans, or singing softly.
New Orleans would not be impatient, would not judge her skill, nor understand most of her utterances. More importantly, New Orleans would never reveal her business to anyone, making him her ideal listener.
Hmm, after she mastered it, should she silence the vocal coach?
[Prenuptial Agreement (54/999)]
Mols shook the rabbit coin bank, her expression blank.
Good. This year, she had controlled herself and only made one wish to Illumi.
She couldn't help it; she was too nervous because she was finally going to fulfill a wish she couldn't achieve last year. Fearing she might lose control midway, she first made a wish to Illumi to practice her interaction mode with the [Hisoka] Youth Edition.
She pushed all the dark, dirty parts onto the [Hisoka] Youth Edition.
Then, she could finally fulfill her unfulfilled wish from last year.
It was good. If she had achieved it last year, it would have been too rushed, and she would have been too impatient. Fulfilling the wish this year was actually better.
In front of the real Hisoka, Mols's heart pounded, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her palms sweating.
She wanted...
She wanted...
She wanted to achieve a small wish, unburdened by darkness or dirt.
Kikyo stood beside her, as she had told Kikyo beforehand, asking her to accompany her to express her wish.
"This child wants a reward," Kikyo said, gently stroking Mols's head. "She worked hard all year and wants a reward from the 'Patriarch of the Zoldyck Family'."
Yes, it was the "Patriarch of the Zoldyck Family," not "Hisoka."
In the past, a child who couldn't say what reward she wanted after half a day (Chapter 63) was now proactively asking for a reward. Seeing Mols's flustered demeanor, Hisoka couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright," Hisoka agreed immediately. He trusted Mols wouldn't ask for anything excessive. "Mols, what kind of reward do you want?"
"She wants..." Kikyo covered her mouth with her fan, suppressing a smile. "This child wants you to present her with an award."
"An award?" Hisoka was a little surprised.
By the usual definition, "awarding" meant presenting a certificate, trophy, or prize.
"Mols," Hisoka mused, "do you want something as a prize?"
"..." Mols nodded.
"What specifically do you want?" Hisoka asked her kindly.
Mols raised her hand and tugged at Kikyo's sleeve. Kikyo smiled even more broadly. "She wants a certificate. The kind that's framed."
"Mm, a framed certificate," Hisoka nodded, but the concept of a certificate was somewhat beyond Hisoka's comprehension. "Is there anything else special about it?"
"..." Mols tugged at Kikyo's sleeve again.
"It's actually already made," Kikyo said, pulling Mols into her arms and stroking her head repeatedly. "Dear, you'll see it when you see it."
The butler in the black suit solemnly approached with a tray. Hisoka raised his hand and lifted the red silk cloth covering it. Beneath it was a framed certificate.
First, the eyes landed on the golden, embossed text printed in the largest font in the center of the entire certificate: **[Performance Champion]**
Above the text was also adorned a small crown, also in gold embossing.
The second line of text was slightly smaller than "Performance Champion" and read: **[Mols]**
Further down, in even smaller font, it read: **[Outstanding performance and excellent achievements in the work of one year, this certificate is specially issued for encouragement.]**
The bottom right corner of the certificate was intentionally left blank, apparently for...
Based on Hisoka's knowledge of contracts, he deduced that the blank space was meant for a seal or signature.
"Do you need me to sign it?" Hisoka asked.
"..." Mols buried her head low, almost into her chest.
The main body of the certificate was written by herself, praising herself, and she even had it framed. It seemed like a beautiful idea initially, but actually doing something like this was incredibly embarrassing.
"Yes," Kikyo answered for Mols.
The butler presented a fountain pen. Hisoka glanced at Mols, who was still hiding her head, and smiled helplessly before signing his name in the bottom right corner of the certificate: **[Hisoka Zoldyck]**
"Alright," Hisoka said, closing the frame. "Mols, is there anything else you need?"
"..." Mols didn't look up, her face burning uncontrollably.
Hisoka stood up, walked to her with the certificate, and said, "Don't be nervous, Mols. This is what you deserve. You've done very well."
"Dear, let's wait a moment. Let her recover," Kikyo said, placing her palm against Mols's cheek. "This child is shy again... So cute."
"...It's alright," Hisoka replied, placing the certificate back on the tray and reaching out to stroke Mols's head. "Good girl. Take your time."
After a considerable delay, the heat on Mols's face finally subsided.
She lifted her face from Kikyo's embrace, her lips parting to form a sound. "...Dad."
"..." Hisoka was stunned.
"Mom," Mols softly called to Kikyo, then buried her face back into Kikyo's embrace.
"Good girl," Kikyo said, hugging Mols tightly.
Saying "Dad" once had used up all of Mols's remaining courage. Afterward, she kept her head down, remaining silent.
When it was time to officially accept the certificate, she hesitantly looked up, holding the certificate and facing the camera. Kikyo, standing to her right, had an arm around her waist and was steadying the certificate with her other hand. Hisoka, standing to her left, had a hand on her shoulder.
"Okay," Kikyo said. *Kai Shu Ge*
The butler in charge of photography signaled the countdown.
Three.
Two.
One.
*Click.*
The camera preserved this moment forever.
[Achievement Unlocked: Performance Champion]
That night, Mols cried herself to sleep, her pillow soaked with tears.
She felt a deep sense of guilt and inwardly vowed to close Pandora's Box and never make another wish regarding [Hisoka].